Northern State University Athletics

Deb (Esche) Finnesand was a four-sport athlete for Northern State from 1980-84, competing in basketball, softball, track and golf before becoming a volleyball and softball coach for the Wolves after graduation.  She helped NSU teams to two district championships in softball, three in track and field and two in basketball.  Finnesand, who was a four-year starter in both basketball and softball, was an all-district performer for two years in basketball and three years in softball. 

The Aberdeen native helped the Wolves baksetball team to a third-place finish in the 1981 NAIA National Tournament, a feat made even more impressive considering at the time that the NAIA wasn't split into subdivisions as it is today.  Her name is littered throughout Northern's basketball record book, including her stand as NSU's all-time seals leaser with 313 thefts.  She also ranks fourth in school history in rebounding (916) and 16th on Northern's all-time scoring list (1,203 points).

After earning her master's at Northern in 1986, Finnesand had a successful stint as softball and volleyball coach for the Wolves in the late 80s and early 90s.  Her 1990 volleyball squad recorded a school-best 25-18 record.  In 1992, the Finnesand-led Wolves came close to that mark again with a 22-16 record.

Currently, Finnesand is the instructor of the Alternate Education Classroom at Simmons Junior High School in Aberdeen.  She also coaches volleyball at Aberdeen Central, where her teams have compiled an 83-43 match record.  Finnesand earned Region Coach of the Year honors in 1996 and 1998.  In addition to being a youth soccer coach, Finnesand is also the president of the Olive Grove Golf Course board of directors and a member of the South Dakota High School Volleyball Coaches Association, Simmons Junior High Site Council and Steering Committee, and the NCA Planning Board.

Finnesand and her husband, Nick, are parents of three children.